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The Howling

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
35K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,726
1,126
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Howling (1981)
Trailer 2 for The Howling
Play trailer1:35
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Horror

After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.

IMDb RATING
6.5/10
35K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,726
1,126
  • Director
    • Joe Dante
  • Writers
    • Gary Brandner(based on the novel by)
    • John Sayles(screenplay by)
    • Terence H. Winkless(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Dee Wallace
    • Patrick Macnee
    • Dennis Dugan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Joe Dante
  • Writers
    • Gary Brandner(based on the novel by)
    • John Sayles(screenplay by)
    • Terence H. Winkless(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Dee Wallace
    • Patrick Macnee
    • Dennis Dugan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 250User reviews
    • 157Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos5

    The Howling
    Trailer 1:35
    The Howling
    The Howling
    Trailer 1:29
    The Howling
    The Howling - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    Trailer 1:32
    The Howling - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    The Howling
    Clip 3:21
    The Howling
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 28
    Video 28:11
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 28

    Photos146

    Christopher Stone and Dee Wallace in The Howling (1981)
    Elisabeth Brooks in The Howling (1981)
    John Carradine, Slim Pickens, James Murtaugh, and Noble Willingham in The Howling (1981)
    Don McLeod in The Howling (1981)
    Slim Pickens, James Murtaugh, and Dee Wallace in The Howling (1981)
    Elisabeth Brooks in The Howling (1981)
    Christopher Stone in The Howling (1981)
    Belinda Balaski in The Howling (1981)
    Christopher Stone in The Howling (1981)
    Robert Picardo in The Howling (1981)
    The Howling (1981)
    The Howling (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dee Wallace
    Dee Wallace
    • Karen Whiteas Karen White
    Patrick Macnee
    Patrick Macnee
    • Dr. George Waggneras Dr. George Waggner
    Dennis Dugan
    Dennis Dugan
    • Chrisas Chris
    Christopher Stone
    Christopher Stone
    • R. William 'Bill' Neillas R. William 'Bill' Neill
    Belinda Balaski
    Belinda Balaski
    • Terry Fisheras Terry Fisher
    Kevin McCarthy
    Kevin McCarthy
    • Fred Francisas Fred Francis
    John Carradine
    John Carradine
    • Erle Kentonas Erle Kenton
    Slim Pickens
    Slim Pickens
    • Sam Newfieldas Sam Newfield
    Elisabeth Brooks
    Elisabeth Brooks
    • Marshaas Marsha
    Robert Picardo
    Robert Picardo
    • Eddieas Eddie
    Margie Impert
    • Donnaas Donna
    Noble Willingham
    Noble Willingham
    • Charlie Bartonas Charlie Barton
    James Murtaugh
    James Murtaugh
    • Jerry Warrenas Jerry Warren
    James MacKrell
    • Lew Landersas Lew Landers
    • (as Jim McKrell)
    Kenneth Tobey
    Kenneth Tobey
    • Older Copas Older Cop
    Don McLeod
    Don McLeod
    • T.C. Quistas T.C. Quist
    Dick Miller
    Dick Miller
    • Walter Paisleyas Walter Paisley
    Steve Nevil
    • Young Copas Young Cop
    • Director
      • Joe Dante
    • Writers
      • Gary Brandner(based on the novel by)
      • John Sayles(screenplay by)
      • Terence H. Winkless(screenplay by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In a red light district, newswoman Karen White is bugged by the police, investigating serial killer Eddie Quist, who has been molesting her through phone calls. After police officers find them in a peep-show cabin and shoot Eddie, Karen becomes emotionally disturbed and loses her memory. Hoping to conquer her inner demons, she heads for the Colony, a secluded retreat where the creepy residents are rather too eager to make her feel at home. There also seems to be a bizarre connection between Eddie Quist and this supposedly safe haven. And when, after nights of being tormented by unearthly cries, Karen ventures into the forest and makes a terrifying discovery. —Tim Kretschmann <Tim.K@VirComm.com>
    • werewolf
    • silver bullet
    • psychiatrist
    • forest
    • female full frontal nudity
    • 154 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • What she has witnessed, she cannot escape. What he has become, he cannot control. And what you experience, no one will believe until they come face to face with the inhuman fear that is the howling.
    • Genre
      • Horror
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rick Baker was originally doing the special effects for this movie, but he left to do An American Werewolf in London (1981), leaving the effects job for this movie in the hands of assistant Rob Bottin. Both this movie and "American Werewolf" were released the same year and both received praise for their makeup work.
    • Goofs
      Slim Pickens is shot twice with the shots coming almost on top of each other in quick succession. However, he is shot with a manual bolt-action rifle making that impossible.
    • Quotes

      Eddie Quist: I'm gonna give you a piece of my mind. I trusted you, Karen.

      [He proceeds to pull a piece of brain out of a bullet hole in his head]

    • Crazy credits
      At the very end of the credits, there is a brief clip from The Wolf Man (1941).
    • Alternate versions
      In the French video version (TF1) The scene where "Eddie" rips a bullet out of his forehead just before turning into a werewolf is missing. The theater version was uncut though.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Hardly Working/The Howling/'Breaker' Morant/Mon Oncle D'Amerique/Caveman (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Howling Chicken
      Written by Rick Fienhage and Joyce Fienhage

    User reviews250

    Review
    Top review
    Listen to the critics, it's actually one of the best
    Yes! For a change in the horror genre this film does deserve all of the praise, hype, cult following and respect it receives, even from the critics. I would go so far as to even admit that I find this Joe (Gremlins, Innerspace, The 'burbs, Matinee, Small soldiers) Dante flick one of his best crafted works, followed by PIRANHA.

    It's always been a toss up between THE HOWLING and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON for the most effective lycanthropy picture of postmodern horror cinema (anything since Psycho). Where John Landis used comedy more blatantly, the humour in THE HOWLING is far more satirical and subversive. Undoubtedly, Rob Bottin's effects steal the show as well as they did for John Carpenter's THE THING. The transformation of Eddie Quist, especially on the revamped DVD is something to behold.

    For anyone with a passing interest in the horror genre this is a film to include on that 'TO SEE' list. For fans of werewolf movies this should go on that 'MUST SEE' list.
    helpful•40
    15
    • Krug Stillo
    • Sep 3, 2003

    FAQ11

    • Why did Erle Kenton attempt to kill himself?
    • Why did Eddie give Chris his rifle back before transforming?
    • What is 'The Howling' about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 10, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Das Tier
    • Filming locations
      • Mendocino Woodlands Camp - 39350 Little Lake Road, Mendocino, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Embassy Pictures
      • International Film Investors
      • Wescom Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,985,893
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,985,893
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1(original & negative ratio / European theatrical ratio)

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